Combined bumper and jack



May 3, 1927'. 1,627,311

B. K. COX

cousxnan BUMPER AND JACK Filed on. 5. 1926 2 sheets-sheet 1 3 1927. May B. K. cox

COMBINED BUMPEH'AND JACK Filed 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 3, 1927..

UNITED STATES PATENT orrlca.

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Application filed October: 5, 1928. Serial 1T0. 188,061.

Theinvention relates to attachments or acwith means automatically engaging beneath the axle when the device is swung into position for use as a jack, the axle engaging element operating to prevent relative movement of the frame and axles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combined device of this character provided with ositively acting latch means for holding it in either selected position so that slipping or accidental movement will be revented.

further object of the invention is to provide a device of this type having very simple operable means for effecting the necessary movement to accomplish the Jacking action, the arrangement of arts being such that ready access may be ad to the operating means so that the device will be far more convenient .to use than the ordinary type of jack.

Still another object is to provide a bumper of this character in WhlCh portions are fixed with respect to the frame of the vehicle so as to remain always in horizontal or normal position, only a portion of the bumper being movable downwardly to act as a jack.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a combined bumper and jack which will be simple and inexpensive to manufacture easy to asp and use, positive in action, eilieient an I and a general improvement in the art.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention preferably consists in the arrangement and combination of arts and detailed structural features to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the. forward the accompanying 1 I urable in service,

portion of an automobile equipped with the invention, the parts being arranged to act as a bumper.

F1gure 2 1s a vertical cross sectional view. wlth the parts arrangedin the same 'ition, Figure 3 1s a view similar to l igure 2 but showing the device pos1 t1on to act as a jack,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view'part- 1y broken away and in sectionto illustrate t e ack construction more clearly, and

Figure 5 is a detail view of the operating hand e showing it in active position.

Referring more mgs the letter A esignates the frame bars forming part of the chassis of a motor vehicle, these frame bars being sup rted upon the axles by means of sprin go as is the general practice. Only the ront axle C is illustrated as the construction is approximately the same at the rear as well as at the front. The letter D designates the wheels, 1150:1515 radiator, F the fenders and 'G the In carrying out the invention I provide bum r sections 1 which are rigidly attached to t e frame bars A and articularly to the drawwhich remain' swung down into always in horizontal position. While it is conceivablethat these sections 1, which act as lateralwings, may be of any perferred construction, t ey are here represented as bein each formed as' a single strip of s ring steel nt into substantially triangular s ape, the ends being connected at 2 and one being extended beyond the point 2 to define an attaching portion 3 which is suitably secured to the frame bar. The construction is the same at both sides.

"end

Secured in any preferred manner upon the forward portions of the frame bars A and at the inner or confronting faces thereof are bracket members 4 each of' which terminates at its forward end in a preferably segmental plate 5 formed at its edge with notches 6 and 7 constituting retaining means 100 present instance this central section is dis- I10 are posts 10 I06 closed as formed from a single strip of spring steel having reversely extended end portions 12 to which are secured attaching portions 13 on the posts 10. The intermediate section 11 is shown as equipped with plates 14 which bridge the joints between the section 11 and the sections 1.

The central section 11 is swingable vertically from the position shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4 into that illustrated in Figure 3, and vice versa and in order to maintain it in' either selected position, I provide a spring pressed pivoted latch 15 on each member ,9 near the pivot 8, the latchhaving an. angular end portion 16 passing through an opening 17 in the arm 9 for engagement within the notch 6 or 7, as the case may be.

It is of course necessary to provide means for holding the frame a ainst movement with respect to the axle w en the device is used as a jack. To accom lish this feature I provide a hook 18 pivote at 19 upon each bracket 4 and-adapted to engage beneath the axle G, these hooks being connected with the arms 9 by suitable links 20 so as to move simultaneously with the arms from operative to inoperative position or vice versa.

Each post 10 is formed with a threaded bore 21 within which is engaged a screw 22 formed on a shaft 23 suitably journaled in the hollow arm. Both shafts 23 carry bevel gears 24 with which mesh bevel gears 25 on the ends of a shaft 26 which extends between both arms 9 and which'is suitably journaled therein.

The means for effecting rotation of the shaft 26 to drive the jack screws ma conveniently comprise ratchets 2'Z carried y the shaft 26 and adapted to be rotated as by means of the wrench device illustrated in Figure 5, this device including a handle 28 carrying a head 29 slotted at 30 for engage ment upon the shaft 26, the head carrying a pivoted pawl 31 engageable with eit er of the ratchets 27. Only one ratchet is necessary but two are shown as one might happen to be more convenient than the other.

In the operation of the device it will be understood that when it is to be used as a bumper the movable central section 11 and the arms 9 carrying the same will be located in horizontal position in alinement with and between the side sections 1. The latches 15 are, at this time, engaged within the notches 6 and the hooks 18 are in forwardly swung osition out of engagement with the axle. ith the parts thus arranged the device will act exactly like any other bumper inasmuch as it will protect the vehicle in a well known manner. Whenever it is desired to jack ,up the wheels, the first thing necessary is to release the latches 15 from engagement with the notches 6. The arms 9 carrying the central section of the bumper may then swing downto be inserted in wardly upon the pivots 8. The operator then engages the latches 15 within the notches 7 so that the arms 9 will be held firmly in vertical position. The 0 erator then engages the wrench upon the s aft 26 with the pawl 31 in coo erative relation to either of the ratchets 2 The wrench is then turned toefiect rotation of the shaft 26 and as this shaft is geared to both shafts 23, the screws 22 o erating within the threaded bores 21 wil act to pro'ect the posts 10 and bumper section 11. '1 part of the movement will bring the-bumper section into engagement with the ground, floor or other surface on which the vehicle is resting and continued movement will cause the end of the vehicle to be lifted. When the arms 9 are initially swung downwardly the link members 20 connected therewith and with the hooks 18 will move the latter into engagement beneath the axle so that there can be no relative movement of the frame and axle. When the work to be done has been completed, the vehicle is let down by operating the wrench in the o posite direction so thatthe posts 10 wi retracted within the hollow arms 9.

From the foregoing description and la study of the drawings it will be apparent.

'two functions combined in the'one dev1ce it is evident that the equi ment necessary for a vehicleis reduced. urthermore, the device acts as a jack much more conveniently than the ordinary type of jack which has place beneath an axle, an act which is sometimes accompanied by con siderable difficulty. It is really believed that the construction, operation and advantages will be readily ap arent to one skilled in the art without further explanation.

While I have shown and described the referred embodiment of the invention and ave illustrated it as applied to the front of a vehicle it should be understood that the equipment is the same at the rear with the possible exception of the shape of the hooks which enga e the axle. These, together with all other e anges and modifications necesmay to effect installation upon vehicles of di erent makes and styles are well within the scope of the invention and the right is reserved to make all such variations as will constitute no departure from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims hereunto appended. Having thus 1. A combined bumper and jack for vehicles, comprising arm members pivotallymounted on the vehicle frame and swing;

able from vertical to horizontal position, a bumper bar, posts carried by the bumper sections secured to the vehicle cured to the vehicle bar ma slidable with respect to said arms,

and means for moving said posts longitudinalx.

2. combined bumper and Jack device for vehicles, comprising stationary bumper rame, an intermediate bumper section located between said sections and vertically swingabl mounted on the vehicle frame, and a ac structure embodied in said intermediate section.

3. A combined bumper and jack device for vehicles, com risin bumper sectlons secured to the ve icle rame bars and projectin laterally therebe 0nd in advance of the w eels, an interm iate section bridging said first named sections and including an porting arms pivotally mounted on the ve icle frame bars for vertical swingin movement, a-jack structure embodied in sai intermediate section, and means for hold ing said intermediate section in either horizontal or depending vertical osition.

4. A combined bumper an jack device for vehicles, comprising bumper sections serame bars and projecting laterall thercbeyond in advance of the wheels, an ntermediate section brid ng said first named sections and inclu mg su porting arms pivotally mounted on the ve lcle frame bars for vertical swinging movement, a jack structure embodied in said intermediate section, means for holding said intermediate section in either horizontal or depending vertical position, said means comprising latch members carried by said arms, and keeper elements carried by the frame barsfor coo eration with the latch elements. 5. A com ined bumper and jack device for vehicles, comprisin bumpers sections secured to the vehicle rame bars and projectin laterally therebeyond in advance of the w eels, an intermediate section bridging said first named'sections and includin supportin arms pivotally mounted on t e vehicle ame bars for vertical swinging movement, a jack structure embodied in said intermediate section, means for holding said intermediate section in either horizontal. or

depending vertical position, said means comrising pivoted spring pressed latch members carried b the arms and notched keeperplates carrie b the frame bars and engageable by the etch members.

6. A combined bumper and jack device for vehicles, comprising bumper sections se-' cured to the vehicle frame bars and projectin laterall therebeyond in advance of the w eels, an intermediate section bridging said first named sections and includin sup: porting arms pivotally mounted on t e vehicle frame bars for vertical swinging movement, a jack structure embodied in said intermediate section, means for holding said intermediate section in either horizontal or depending vertical position, said means comprising brackets secured on the frame bars and terminating in segmental plate portions having notches therein and latches movably mounted on theiarms and engageable within selected notches.

7. In a combined bumper and jack device for vehicles, arms pivoted on the vehicle frame, posts slidably mounted within said arms, a bumper bar carried by said posts, said arms being vertically swingable to brin the'bumper bar selectively in elevated posltion in advance of the vehicle or in lowered position adjacent the moving said posts. 8. In a combined bumper and jack device for vehicles, arms pivoted on the vehicle frame, posts slidably mounted within said arms, a bumper bar carried by said posts, said arms being vertically swingable to bring the bumper bar selectivel in elevated position in advance of the vehicle or in lowered position adjacent the ground, means for. moving said journaled in the arms and threaded through the posts, and means for turning the screws.

9 .'In a combined bumper and jack device for vehicles, arms pivoted on the vehicle frame, posts slidably mounted within said arms, a bumper bar carriedby said posts, said arms being vertically swingable to bring the bumper bar selectively in elevated position in advance of thevehicle or in lowered position adjacent the ground, means for moving said posts comprising screws journaled in the arms and threaded through the posts, and means for turning the screws simultaneously.

10. In a combined bumper and jack device for vehicles, arms pivoted upon the vehicle frame bars, screw actuated members slidably mounted alongsaid arms, a bumper bar carried by said members, the arms being swingable-to extend selectively in horizontal vice for vehicles, arms pivoted upon the vehicle frame bars, screw actuated members slidably mounted alon said arms, a bumper bar carried by sai members, the arms being swingable to extend selectively in horizontal position or in depending vertical position, means for connecting the arms with the vehicle axle when .in vertical position comprising pivoted hooks, and operative connections between the hooks and the arms.

12. In a combined bumper and jack device for vehicles, bracket members mounted upon the vehicle frame, arms pivoted upon the bracket members and of hollow formation, osts slidable within said arms and formed with threaded bores, a bumper bar carried by said posts,screws engaged within saidthreaded bores and mounted for longi tudinal movement within the arms, a shaft extending across both arms and geared to said screws, and means for rotating the shaft, said arms being swingable selectively to extend in horizontal or in depending ver tical position. a

13. In a bumper device of the character described, rigidly mounted bumper sections adapted to be secured to the frame bars of a. vehicle and to extend laterally therebeyond, an intermediate bumper section iyotally mounted upon the frame bars and ridging the space between said first named'sections when in normal elements carried by sai intermediate section and overlapping the 'oints between the same and the'first name sections.

14. A device of the character described comprising bumper sections adapted to be secured upon the outer sides of the frame bars of a vehicle, brackets adapted to be secured upon the inner side of the frame bars, an intermediate bumper section embodying a jack structure and pivoted upon said brackets, said intermediate section being swingable to extend selectively in horizontal or depending vertical position, and means cooperatin with the intermediate section and the rackets for maintaining the former in selected position.

15. A combined bumper and jack for vehicles comprising a bumper structure adapted to be mounted at the end of a vehicle frame for vertical swinging movement longitudinally of the vehicle, means normally holdin the bum or structure in substantially horizontal posltion, and a jack deviceembodied in the bumper structure.

16. In a combined bumper and jack for vehicles, a bumper structure pivotally mounted at opposite sides of a vehicle frame gosition, and plate nae-m1? for vertical swi movement longitudinall of the vehicle frame, a jack device carried by the bumper structure and operable when the bumper structure in dependmg vertical position, and means for holdin the bumper structure in substantially orizontal osition.

'17. A combine bumperand jack for vehlcles comprising a normally horizontal bumper structure swin ble forwardly and downwardly to a position near the ground, and a ]8.Ck device carried by the bumper structure.

18. In a device of the character described, a bumper structure having an immovable portlon and a ortion swingable forwardly and downwar into a position near the ground, and a ack device carried by said swingable portion.

19. In a device of the character described,

a pivoted bumper structure, means normally mamtalmng the same in operative substantially horizontal abum r, the bumper n swingable longitudina y of the vehicle, an means embodied m and forming a permanent part of the 'of a vehicle framefor vertical swinging movement longitudinally thereof, a jack device embodied in and forming a permanent part of the bumper structure, means for throwing the jack device into operative pgsition to constitute bumper structure and adapted to engagesition, and means pivotall with-- Y the bumper and automaticall enga ble with the vehicle axle when tli e bumggis swung into jacking position. .i

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. 

